Python interpreter autocomplete + history with ~/.pythonrc

Using great tools is important, using autocompletion with great tools is even better. Update: use Jupyter, it’s just amazing!

Never used python interpreter?

Try it now! Install python if it’s not already the case and run python in a terminal. There you go, you’re now inside a python interpreter!

Get interpreter autocompletion and history

I did an update, inspired by twneale/gist:5245670.

Here is what you’re looking for, create this file:

~/.pythonrc

import atexit
import os

try:
    import readline
except ImportError:
    print(".pythonrc :: Module readline not available.")
else:
    import rlcompleter

    readline.parse_and_bind("tab: complete")
    print(".pythonrc :: AutoCompletion Loaded")

    history_file = os.path.join(os.path.expanduser("~"), ".pyhistory")
    print(".pythonrc :: history file:", history_file)


    def save_history(history=history_file):
        import readline
        readline.write_history_file(history)
        print(".pythonrc :: history saved to " + history)


    def load_history(history=history_file):
        try:
            readline.read_history_file(history)
        except IOError:
            pass

    load_history()
    atexit.register(save_history)

    del readline, rlcompleter, atexit, history_file

# In addition to os, import some useful things

# noinspection PyUnresolvedReferences
import re

# noinspection PyUnresolvedReferences
from collections import *

# noinspection PyUnresolvedReferences
from itertools import *

Then, you need to tell python interpreter to use this ~/.pythonrc file, so add the following line somewhere in an rc file (either ~/.bashrc if you’re using bash or ~/.zshrc for the awesome oh-my-zsh)

export PYTHONSTARTUP=~/.pythonrc

You can also run this directly in your shell if you want to test before editing your rc file.

That’s it, fire up a terminal, run python again and enjoy autocompletion when you hit tab key :D

All commands you type in a local interpreter are now recorded to ~/.pyhistory. Hit tab when experimenting with modules from the interwebs and it will be much easier to discover all the things ✌🏻

Want more?

For advanced usage, there are a few interpreters available that provide features out of the box such as syntax highlighting while you type:

• bpython
• DreamPie
• IPython
• ptpython

I used IPython for a while and it’s great:

Even better, use Jupyter

Jupyter lets you manage notebooks with live code, syntax highlighting, visualizations, markdown and even has a few extensions. It’s really worth the try.

pip3 install jupyter
jupyter notebook

You’ll love it and it’s even more fun when used with numpy and matplotlib.

Oh and you can save them as gists which is wonderful for sharing and embedding:

Neat eh?

Found a typo? Have a suggestion? Open an issue or send me a pull-request!